Please and thank you are the magic words. Almost all children have heard this phrase but do not put it into practice. Growing up, respect was one of the most important things in our family. Say please, thank you, sorry, go wash your dish, help your grandmother clean the house, help take things out of the car, hold the door open for others, these are just some of the things my parents told us to do. Today it is very rare to see this type of respect especially among today's youth. When we see respect, for example, a young man holding the door open for an older lady, we are in awe and we applaud him and we are so touched. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just saying it's sad that it's so rare to see it, it should come naturally, not something we're not familiar with that impresses us so much. People don't understand the meaning of respect, they don't seem to care how others see them. They don't appreciate the value of what others do for them. What is respect? Where did it go? Why don't we see it like before? Respect means something different to everyone. For me, respect means always being kind and polite, whatever the situation, it means treating others the way you would like to be treated. Others would define it as something everyone expects, yet is unwilling to give. Respect means giving without expecting something in return, but respect is also a two-way street: if you want it, you should be willing to give it. People believe they have the right to everything, they think they deserve the best, it's bad to think that because then they become selfish. I came across this quote by Criss Jami that says: “Man is not, by nature, deserving of everything he wants. When we think that w...... middle of paper ......ol. For this reason it is difficult for children to follow their parents' example: they simply follow what others do. There is also not much discipline because parents hardly pay attention to them and with the lack of discipline also comes the lack of respect. We need to start teaching respect more at home and at school. If more people had respect, this world would be a better place. Respect is like the root of all good things. With respect comes responsible people, kind people, fewer bullies, which means less suicide, less crime, more love and simply a better life. We teach the next generation to open doors for others, to help elders carry things, to listen to those in positions of authority, to treat others the way you would like to be treated, to show kindness to all, including those who don't deserve it. maybe, just maybe, this world wouldn't be so bad after all.